Mia Rodriguez
Majors: Law & Society, Psychology
Undergraduate Intern, Luisa White Law LLC
How did you learn about this internship opportunity?
I was able to learn about this internship opportunity through an internship class I took during the school year. Once my spring internship ended for the semester, I was able to contact another firm that was recommended for students looking for a legal internship, and reached out.
How has your internship helped build your skills and clarify your career goals? How did being a Liberal Arts student at Purdue apply to your internship?
My internship at Luisa White Law helped me work on my writing and communication skills. My internship position allowed me to directly interact with clients, where clear and effective communication was pertinent. I also had the ability to draft documents, which allowed me to get familiar with some legal writing and the types of documents I would have to draft as an attorney. Most importantly, I was able to get exposure to family law, a field of law I was not initially interested in.
How did being a Liberal Arts student at Purdue apply to your internship?
Being a liberal arts student definitely allowed me to apply some of the concepts I learn in my law and society courses in real life. My classes have well prepared me for the detail-oriented work I assist with, as well as the writing skills to assist with the drafting of documents.
What is a piece of advice you would give someone in your major looking for an internship?
A piece of advice I would give another Law and Society major looking for an internship is that it never hurts to ask. Cold emailing can seem daunting, but you never know what opportunities may be available. Additionally, it can be helpful to ask your professors about opportunities they may know of or people they can connect you with.
What key responsibilities or tasks have you taken on during your internship?
Specific responsibilities I have undertaken during my internship are answering client phone calls, scheduling meetings, drafting and filing various legal documents, assisting with reviewing bodycam footage, and billing.
In what ways has the College of Liberal Arts at Purdue University supported your internship journey? How has your participation in our job-ready program specifically aided your professional development?
The College of Liberal Arts at Purdue University has supported my internship journey as I have been provided many opportunities to network with individuals in my field of interest, internship opportunities, and overall support in navigating my career after college. My participation in the job-ready program has aided my professional development by providing me with financial aid to take on an unpaid internship. Participating in any internship can be time-consuming and add strain to any student’s university experience. Participating in the job-ready program allow me to find not only support navigating an internship, but allowed me to be able to participate in an experience that was an investment in my future.
Could you highlight a standout aspect of your experience in this program that you find particularly noteworthy?
A standout experience in this program that I found particularly noteworthy was how this program allowed me to get a hands-on experience within the legal field, which many internships may not allow you to gain. I was able to get a sneak peek at all the duties attorneys have to perform and learn important skills that could help me find a job after graduation as a paralegal. I was additionally supported by my co-workers, who were super encouraging through this experience.